Strengthening Regional Security: GRIDS Programme Empowers Gulf Cooperation Council Officers Through Intelligence Exchange Training
Vienna, 5 October 2023 - In an effort to enhance regional security and combat the trafficking of dangerous and controlled substances, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) GRIDS Programme and the Precursors Control Section jointly organized training for officers from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and member States. The training, which took place in Vienna from October 2 to 5, 2023, saw the participation of 14 officers from the GCC and member States Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
This collaborative initiative brought together law enforcement officers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, fostering knowledge exchange and skill development on dangerous substances, secure real-time information exchange, GRIDS Intelligence targeting and demonstration on next generation targeting tools. A significant aspect of the program emphasized the importance of international collaboration and information sharing. Officers were encouraged to leverage the GRIDS platform to connect with their counterparts in other countries, advancing a unified and proactive approach to combating drug-related crimes.
Participants received hands-on training and access to IONICS, PICS and the latest GRIDS intelligence tools, enabling them to navigate complex data sets, analyze patterns, and identify potential threats more efficiently. The training delved into chemicals commonly used in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances and emerging threats from deadly next generation opioids. Capacity building materials in Arabic were also provided to the participants.
Photo: Experts received access and training to IONICS, with language support in Arabic and 130 other languages
The Board's Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme and Project ION and OPIOIDS Project support Governments' capacity to respond to changing trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids and fentanyl-related substances by providing real-time communication, facilitating information exchange and intelligence development that interdict distribution of dangerous substances at the source.
The GRIDS Programme is strongly supported by the governments of Canada, Japan, and the United States. This event was made possible through generous support from the Government of Canada's Global Affairs Canada and United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
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Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION